By Loren Shaum
Columnist

Elkhart has long been known as the RV Capital of the world, and it was the home of my former automation business, SMI Technology.  During that tenure, we did more than one charity event at a special venue in downtown that is the only reason you need to make the short drive to Elkhart.

Midwest Museum of American Art (MMAA)

MMAA was born out of a vision by Dr. Richard and Jane Burns who created a not-for-profit foundation to: “Bring American fine art and art appreciation to Elkhart”, according to Brian Byrn, Curator and Director at the museum, which is funded entirely by memberships, donations and grants.

The museum is in downtown Elkhart. Photo provided.

Therein, in 1973, Dr. Burns purchased the neo-classical, circa 1922 former St. Joseph Valley Bank building in downtown Elkhart and donated it to the newly formed foundation.  The museum opened in 1979, and initial exhibits included the Burn’s collection of “golden age of American illustration” works – much of it by Norman Rockwell.

The Burns continued to collect numbered lithographs and collotypes by Rockwell.  Over the years, the museum has become renowned for having the largest public collection of hand-signed and numbered Norman Rockwell color lithographs!

In 1981, Brian entered one of his works from his Lawn Chair Madonna Series, entitled: “Madonna & Child Enthroned in Indiana” in the 3^rd Elkhart Juried Regional. This mixed media work won the “Best of Show” award!  In November 1981, Brian joined the museum as curator.

The Museum Today

Today, Brian and Assistant Curator, Randy Roberts (now entering his sixth year), manage over 7,000 works representing approximately 1,000 American artists.  Open year-round, visitors can experience as many as 1,200 works, which are continually changing.  Many are seldom seen themes like the Story of American Art on display in the main gallery.  Brian is incredibly knowledgeable on most of these works and can discuss each in detail.

One of the exhibits.

Of all these works, Brian has a favorite by Grant Wood. Titled “Sheaves of Corn”, this work was created back in 1931 and was donated to the museum in 1981.

Other works include the world’s largest collection of Overbeck Art Pottery, plus works by Andy Warhol, Robert Indiana, Roger Brown, Art Green, Karl Wirsum, Robert Henri, Robert Reid, impressionists, abstract expressionists and others.

Spotlight Exhibits

Currently, and through March 7, the museum is featuring “Spotlight Exhibits”.  One is the Blue-Ribbon Exhibit – 50 years of the Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival.  Dick and Susie Pletcher recently sold Amish Acres but retained their collection of Best of Show two-dimensional and three-dimensional works that they’ve purchased over the years.  The museum is exhibiting a number of these works that feature Michiana artists like Jacqueline Gnott and Steve Johnson, as well as, other Midwestern artists.

The exhibit features thirty-plus watercolors, acrylics and oil paintings that reflect on Amish Acres’s history.  They are on loan from the Evelyn Lehman Culp Heritage Collection at the Nappanee Center.

Also on display is a Holocaust Remembrance exhibit featuring Auschwitz and Mauthausen survivor, Adam (Grochowski) Grant.  Three of the works reflect the effects of WW II and were donated to the museum.  

Connecting to Grant’s exhibit is Hungarian-born, Gabor Peterdi: The Early Works.  Many of these are never-been-seen-before and reflect the artist’s observations about the escalating violence in Europe as the Nazi’s took control. Eventually, this master-printmaker taught 27 years at Yale University.  

Further enhancing this spotlight exhibit are military artifacts from WW II. Some of the memorabilia on display were shipped from somewhere in Germany by my brother prior to his death in April 1945.  I don’t remember Lewis Dean Shaum, but mom kept all his letters.  Several years ago, another brother, Larry, and I, followed his letters and drove across Europe from Normandy to Frankfurt, Germany.  Lewis was on General George Patton’s headquarters staff and drove new officers to the front lines.   His last letter was sent from Germany, but his story is told in my book, “In Search of a Soldier”, the Unknown Brother.  The book is available at the museum and Lake Country stores.  Half of the purchase price goes to the museum.

Museum Events

Every Thursday, the museum presents “Noon Time Talks”.  Discussions of the various works on display are featured by either guest speakers or museum staff.  Films are sometimes included.  Currently, the attendance is limited to 25 and, of course, masks are required.  Price is $5 but free to members.  If you want an art education, Brian will provide it!

Also coming is Cocktails with a Curator, Groundhog Day Version.  This interesting concept will be held on February 2 and repeated on February 3.  Hours are 5-6 p. m., then again from 6:15-7:15.  The cost is a $20 donation (tax-deductible), but members are free.  I hope they continue this idea.

If You Go

MMAA is at 429 S. Main St., Elkhart.  Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10-4 p. m.; Saturday and Sunday,1-4 p. m.  Phone: 574-293-6660.  Email: [email protected]

One of the exhibits at the museum.